Digital Single Market

OFE has welcomed the announcement and Communication from the European Commission of its planned programme for a Digital Single Market (DSM). OFE has responded with the publication of its Vision paper “Towards an Open Digital Single Market” in which OFE, having openness at the core of its beliefs and credentials, endorses much of the Commission’s strategy but calls for more ambitious proposals in some policy areas.

In its welcoming Press release OFE emphasised that by its very nature, the digital market is global, fast-moving, and constantly refreshing technology. To maximise the opportunity for its citizens and for business, Europe needs to adopt an open culture, be totally determined to deliver the Digital Single Market across its Member States, and avoid the ambiguity that consensus can bring. Everything will be gained by being bold and looking to intercept new thinking, not by being held back by the past.

In OFE’s Vision Paper OFE presents a three pronged approach for the completion of the DSM, which is based on the Openness Principles. This approach envelops an Open Culture, a Common Framework and being Digital by Default.

On a dedicated website, OFE provides specific recommendations to achieve these goals.

Latest from OFE on the Digital Single Market

What is the Digital Single Market?

In its strategy adopted in May 2015, the European Commission announced a set of 16 actions to be delivered by the end of 2016 to achieve a European Digital Single Market. These are organised around three pillars :

Pillar I: Better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across Europe

Pillar II: Creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services to flourish

Pillar III: Maximising the growth potential of the digital economy

The Commission also published an infographic informing on the roadmap for the delivery of these initiatives.